Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Huawei P60 Pro. These two devices offer different approaches to the premium smartphone experience, and understanding their nuances is crucial for making the right choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of their specs, emphasizing the real-world implications for users:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Huawei P60 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 161 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | Xperia 5 IV is more compact, better for one-handed use; P60 Pro is larger, offering more screen real estate. |
| Weight | 172g | 200g | Xperia 5 IV is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown Front, Glass Back | Xperia 5 IV provides confirmed screen durability |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | P60 Pro has a larger screen for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 | 1220 x 2700 | P60 Pro offers sharper, more detailed visuals, especially noticeable with text and images. |
| PPI | 449 | 444 | Both offer excellent pixel density, resulting in very sharp images |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both do not have brightness information available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | P60 Pro has a slightly newer and more powerful processor, offering better overall performance, but is missing 5G support. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,228,811 | P60 Pro shows significantly better benchmark results, offering smoother performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 (Qualcomm) | Both phones offer similar graphical performance, with configurations to enhance gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 48MP, f/1.4, 1/1.4" | P60 Pro captures more detailed images with a wider aperture and a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 31MP, f/2.4 | P60 Pro captures sharper selfies, but Xperia 5 IV has a slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | 48MP, f/2.1 | P60 Pro allows for higher resolution telephoto shots and slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2 | P60 Pro allows for slightly higher resolution ultra-wide photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xperia 5 IV offers higher frame rate in 4K. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 119 | 156 | P60 Pro's camera is noticeably superior in overall performance and video recording |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4815mAh | Similar capacities, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast | 88W Fast | P60 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W Wireless Charging | P60 Pro offers convenient wireless charging for added flexibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 13) | Unknown | Xperia 5 IV has Android. Huawei OS is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast and reliable Wi-Fi performance. P60 Pro additionally has Mimo. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer modern Bluetooth standards, with Sony offering a large range of additional features |
| GPS | Multiple | Multiple | Both offer modern GPS standards, with Huawei supporting more systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Xperia 5 IV has eSIM, offering digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | P60 Pro offers more storage options for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | P60 Pro offers more RAM, which is beneficial for multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage, requiring consideration of built-in capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | Xperia 5 IV offers better sound customization and higher quality sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted finger print | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xperia 5 IV offers a faster fingerprint sensor that is side-mounted |
| Sensors | Multiple | Multiple | Huawei P60 Pro offers additional sensors |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV Strengths:
- Compact Design: Its smaller size makes it more comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- Advanced Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio make it a strong choice for audiophiles.
- eSIM support: The ability to use a digital SIM card offers greater flexibility for travellers.
- 4K@120fps video: High frame rate video capability is ideal for slow motion edits.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More convenient to use and faster response.
- Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Huawei P60 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Camera: The P60 Pro significantly outperforms the Xperia 5 IV in camera quality, according to DXOMARK, especially in low-light conditions.
- Faster Charging: 88W wired and 50W wireless charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Larger Display: The bigger screen offers a more immersive visual experience, especially for media consumption.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher storage and the option for 12GB of RAM support multitasking and future-proofing.
- Improved Performance: The SnapDragon 8+ Gen 1 scores much higher in benchmark testing
- More GPS options: Better location accuracy through additional GPS satellite systems
- Advanced camera features: Extra features like noise reduction and time lapse
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xperia 5 IV: Its smaller display and less powerful camera may not appeal to power users. It also lacks fast wireless charging.
- P60 Pro: Its larger size might be less comfortable for some. It doesn't have an eSIM or the same level of audio features as the Xperia 5 IV. It is also a 4G device, limiting the latest network speeds.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize a compact design, high-quality audio, and smooth video capture.
- Use Cases: Perfect for on-the-go media consumption, music lovers, and travelers who prefer a smaller device.
- Huawei P60 Pro:
- Ideal for: Photography enthusiasts, power users, and anyone who wants the best possible camera and performance.
- Use Cases: Great for content creation, heavy multitasking, gaming, and users who prioritize visual fidelity and speedy charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide between these phones, ask yourself these three practical questions:
- How important is camera quality to you? If the camera is a top priority, the P60 Pro is the clear winner.
- Do you prefer a compact phone or a larger screen? Choose the Xperia 5 IV for ease of handling or the P60 Pro for a more immersive display.
- How important is fast charging and wireless charging? The P60 Pro wins in this area, while the Xperia 5 IV only offers wired charging
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Professional Photographer: The Huawei P60 Pro is the better choice due to its superior camera quality and DxOMark rating. The manual focus, better noise reduction and telephoto lenses make this a dream camera phone.
- The Commuter: The Sony Xperia 5 IV is ideal for those on the go, offering a smaller form factor, excellent audio, and eSIM support.
- The Casual User: The Sony Xperia 5 IV suits those who want a balanced phone with a great screen and good performance for everyday use. However, the Huawei might be more attractive for users who value photos more.
- The Gamer: The Huawei P60 Pro is better for gamers, due to its higher refresh rate, more RAM and benchmark scores.
My Pick
If I were choosing between these two, I would personally go with the Huawei P60 Pro. While I appreciate the Sony's compact design and audio features, the P60 Pro's camera is just too good to pass up, especially when I value the ability to take great photos and videos in various situations. The slightly better performance with the newer chipset, larger display and significantly faster charging are added bonuses, for me. Even though it is a 4G device, this doesn't concern me too much as this is still very fast for daily usage. My priority is to have a flagship camera for both photos and videos and the P60 Pro would fulfil this, even with the slightly bigger form factor.
